Vet stuffies

I went to the vet this morning for my annual check-up and it turns out that I've gained weight! Last year, I was 54 lbs. Today, I weighed in at 64 lbs.! -covers eyes with her paws- I'm not fat! It's all this fur... I'm... POOFY. -grumblies- Besides, I'm so cute and adorable that my human family can't help but want to give me treaties. What's a girl to do? -laughs-

Anyways, I also needed some ear cleaning medication for my left ear because the groomer had gotten water in it which gave it a bit of an infection. I don't like it, but I know it's for my own good. So I sit there like a good girl and suffer silently while Mommy puts in the medication, swishes it about and then removes the excess. Then, when I'm done, I shake and shake my floppy ears and roll around on the carpet trying to get the stuff out. -giggle-

Pet Palooza time!

Hello, everyone!

My family and I have recently launched an eBay store called Pet Palooza (I'm the doggy mascot! -snoopy dances-) dedicated to cat and dog pet products. We'd really appreciate it if you went over and took a look as we're just startin' out and could really use the business ;)

http://stores.ebay.com/petpalooza

Woof!

Love, Clara

I Have A Crush...

I have a crush on a male puppy here on Dogster, but he lives so far away, all the way in Canada... What are the chances of us sniffing each other nose-to-nose here in New Jersey? -soft whimpers- I have male puppy friends here in the condo community that like me (Dollar the white Boxer, Charlie the Cocker Spaniel and Yo-Yo the Cairn Terrier...) so why is this one unattainable pup in Canada gnawing on my mind like a rawhide? Grrr... -frustrated grumblies- I need cuddles. -runs off to find Pammy-

Grooming Nightmare

This past Thursday, my Mummy and Pammy took me to be groomed early in the morning. I was so excited... at first. I love car-rides and I love being with my family, so I was really happy, prancing around their feet as they got bundled up for that deliciously-cold weather and vocalising (I make adorable yawns that end in me 'singing' sweetly and grumblies). Everything was going great until they took me into the groomer's building... I was so scared, I was shaking like a leaf... I thought the worst! Pammy was talking all soft and sweet to me, trying to reassure me by petting me in that gentle, quiet way of hers but it wasn't doing much good. Even the two lady groomers were trying to make friends with me, telling me what a pretty girl I was and that they were going to make my fur all silky and sweet-smelling, but I was just so terrified, I wasn't listening. Then, Mummy left (No!) but Pammy said she was going to stay with me every step of the way and she did, staying right by my side every minute to reassure me with love, pets, cheek rubs and words of endearment.

I got really anxious in the bathtub, especially when the groomer started to wash away the soap with the water nozzle, so much so that I made a sort of growl-bark at her. I didn't bite her, I'm a good girl, but I was just telling her in my way not to rush me so and that I was scared.

The drying table was the WORST. Those dryers were LOUD, sounding like giant vacuums, and they wanted to EAT my FEATHERIES! I hated them so much that the first lady groomer decided to put me in the big holding cage. She hooked up two dryers to the outside of it and let them drone and sneer at me. I didn't know where to turn. But then my Pammy was there, sitting on the floor next to me, constantly talking to me, letting me know it was okay and that she wouldn't let anything bad happen to me. She was relaxed, sitting there, and I could feel the sense of well-being emanating from her, so I was starting to relax too. I guess those loud-mouth dryers weren't so bad... I mean, at least their breath wasn't stinky and the heat did feel sort of good against my wet fur.

The second lady groomer came and turned them off after a while and then took me out of the cage. She tried to lure me back onto the drying table but I wasn't budging. So she and Pammy lifted me onto it. This second groomer was nice and used a hand-held dryer at a lower setting so that it didn't make too loud of a noise. I leaned into my Pammy and she was only too eager to let me cuddle into her while this lady dryed me. I didn't like when she tried to dry under my belly and when she tried drying my ears, I would duck my head under Pammy's arm so she could only do one ear at a time. But I got her back when she started to dry my bum; I let out a super-smelly fart right in her face. -giggle-

I liked the third table the best. This, THIS is where I was in my element. Sitting pretty, so happy to be away from those dryers, being spoiled. I got my nails trimmed, which I didn't understand why really because Mummy had already done them a few days ago but I suffered quietly. Then, I got a brushing, a combing and a trim. I love my brushings so much, I almost wanted to roll over onto my back like I do at home and get my tummy brushed. My tail featheries got brushed and combed until they practically glistened and she then even trimmed my ears, gave them a nice clean and then even was able to get the knots behind them out! The fur behind my ears sometimes gets a bit knotted and Pammy and Mummy have a difficult time brushing them out. They don't want to hurt me accidently, and I guess I'm partly to blame, too... I squirm and fidget when they try to brush them out... But this lady groomer got them out so effortlessly and I didn't even feel a thing! She then went on to trim my tummy featheries and the fur under and around my paws. I didn't like standing on the table, I much preferred to sit, but the groomer kept insisting so that she could trim my fancy-pants. The phone rang then so she answered it and as Pammy pet me, I gave her chin a big puppy-kiss. She needn't have any worry that I was angry with her for making me come here to get groomed. I loved her and that she was with me through it all, I knew she loved me. It only strengthened the bond between us.

The finishing touches were the dark green ribbons in my ears and the shamrock bandanna -- I was an Irish lass! Mummy came in just as the last ribbon in my ear was being tied. I started craning my head around, trying to spot her. I couldn't see her, but I could smell her. I could hardly stand still, but that ribbon finally got put in and I was given back my collar and got leashed. I was off that table in a flash. Me and Pammy had to wait to leave the waiting room until Mummy paid the bill -- grrr, I wanted out of there so bad, I parked myself right by the door. No, no, I don't want treaties right now, Pammy! Open that door, open that door! Finally! I made a nice pile of yellow snow and then did number 2, and how wonderful I felt. But it wasn't until I was safe in the car, back with my loved ones, that I felt I could finally breathe easy.

When I got home, I was so sooo happy. I ran right to my water dish and then raced to see Frisky. I slept for most of the rest of the day. I had worn myself out, that once home I could barely keep my eyes open. I didn't even want to go for my 3pm walkies, though later that night, Pammy surprised me with a bit of an evening walk just so that I could sniff around my territory in the condo community and enjoy the cold air and snow. I love her. And, I love it here with my forever-home in New Jersey. I guess I should have known that nothing bad was going to happen. But, for a second there, I freaked.

Talk to ya guys later! Woof!

I Learned A New Trick!

Pammy taught me a new trick last night. She holds a treatie up for me and says 'Jump!' and I lift myself up on my hind legs and wrap my front paws around her arm. I get sooooo much praise when I do it on cue, too; it makes me feel so proud of myself and happy. I'm such a good girl and I'll do practically anything for a treatie. Puppies love treaties! -giggle-

Ticklish Paws

Pammy's just discovered that I'm ticklish! She was tickling my pawpads this afternoon and I started to twitch them in response and began laughing, getting all goofy and playful. Whatever shall I do? She's discovered my weakness!

I'm in a Smoochability Contest!

Hey, everyone! I'm in a Smoochability Contest, too! Please, take a look:

My Entry

Come on, you just know you want to vote for me. ;)

I'm in a Beauty Contest!

Hey, everyone! My sister, Pammy, has entered me into Eukanuba's Beauty of The Breeds contest! Please, take a look:

My Entry

"In July 2006, we took Clara to have professional photos taken of her; this was one of the results and we feel it captures her personality and beauty perfectly. To us, Clara is our sunflower and when she smiles, even on the most cloudy of days, she radiates sunlight and warmth. She's part goofy clown, part diva, with a sweet blend of sugar and spice. She's irrepressible, the Pollyanna of the canine world. And, just look at those Cleopatra eyes and and those adorable pink bows in her ears -- how could you resist all of her adorable cuteness? Being a German Shepherd/Golden Retriever/ Yellow Labrador mix, we also feel this photo perfectly depicts all of the best qualities of the three and hope you agree!"

I really hope I win but, even if I don't, I know that to my family I'll always be the most beautiful puppy in the world so it's okay.